2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The “Dieselgate” emissions scandal forced Volkswagen to double down on electric cars, and now we’re finally seeing the first result of that: the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 electric crossover.

VW has made an electric car before, but its last attempt, the e-Golf, was built to satisfy emissions standards, not rack up sales. It was barely advertised, and it was sold only in certain locations. With the ID.4, it will launch in the three largest Canadian EV markets—British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario—and will even be built in North America, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, starting in 2022. Volkswagen views the ID.4 as a rival not to other EVs, but to mainstream gasoline vehicles like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Being late to the party means there are already several other EVs trying to coax new-car buyers away from internal combustion, however. If you want a reasonably priced EV, the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Kia Niro EV already exist, and General Motors has the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV—a new variant of the Chevy Bolt EV with a crossover body style similar to the Volkswagen.

Our test car was an ID.4 1st Edition, a U.S.-only model released to commemorates the car’s launch. Its closest Canadian equivalent is the ID.4 RWD Pro with the Statement Package.

Globalization is as transformative a trend within the automotive industry as electrification. To keep cars, trucks, and SUVs competitive and affordable, automakers partner up to share platforms, powertrains, and parts while distinguishing between brands through design, packaging, and dynamic tuning. Thanks to the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is a new vehicle that is an undisputed beneficiary of this trend.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, a plug-in hybrid that is a popular model in Canada, was not included in the redesign. This review applies only to non-electrified models.